Natura Series - Gold There are 27 products.

2019, CRADLE OF HUMANKIND: Hominids. The second instalment of the palaeontology theme features the ‘Cradle of Humankind – hominids’. Hominin species refer to any member of the family tree that split from the common ancestor we share with chimpanzees and ultimately ended with the appearance of humans, while the term hominid is used to include humankind and the chimpanzee, bonobo, gorilla and orangutan. These species are represented by the hundreds of thousands of fossils that have been discovered in virtually every province in South Africa, which are far more than the hominin fossils that have been discovered in the rest of the world put together. These fossils also represent more hominin species than those found in any other country in the world.

Thus Africa can be regarded as the birthplace of humankind and therefore everyone on earth can trace their ancestry back to Africa. Of all the countries in the world, no one can tell the story of human origins better than South Africa. The title ‘Cradle of Humankind’ is well deserved because more hominin species have been discovered in South Africa than any other country in the world. Every coin in this series is a miniature ambassador that tells the story of the origin of humans and South Africa as the birthplace of humankind.

A new chapter in the award-winning Natura series begins with the introduction of palaeontology, in recognition of South Africa’s significance to this field and study of plant and animal fossils. In this first instalment of the palaeontology-themed coins, the focus is ‘Rise of the dinosaurs – Archosauria’ over the five 24ct gold coins. The Karoo supergroup of South Africa is one of the geological wonders of the world. This 12 km thick layer of sedimentary rock was set down over a period of almost 120 million years when South Africa was still part of southern Gondwanaland. The Archosauria- crocodiles, pterosaurs, dinosaurs and birds- or the ruling reptiles, were magnificent beasts which ruled over the land and sky for 180 million years, from the Triassic to the Cretacecous periods. The Archosauriforms evolved at the end of the Triassic, finally taking over the last enclaves of synapsid domination. The next step of evolution, which saw the rise of the dinosaurs, crocodiles and pterosaurs, was imminent. Each coin in this set depicts a different Archosauriform, together with its scientific name, the word ‘Natura’, the denomination, mass and metal value of the coin.

Steynberg’s springbok designs were used for the final – and current – design we have come to associate with the springbok. The re verses of the 2017 Natura coins bear conceptual drawings which were originally submitted for the 5 shilling coin from 1947, over five coins. The full springbok- South Africa’s national animal- is depicted in various states of motion, while a pair of springboks are depicted on the ½ oz coin. The Natura, traditionally a series of four gold coins, for the first time in 2017 boasts a new size in the form of the 1/20 oz coin

Nocturnal Hunters - The spotted hyena (Crocuta crocuta). The obverse features a “laughing” spotted hyena, the wording ‘South Africa’ and the year ‘2016’. Other typical features are its broad chested bear-like build, rounded ears, powerful jaw and sharp teeth. The moon which represents the nocturnal habit of this carnivore is repeated on each coin, visually linking the four coins. R100 (1oz): An adult spotted hyena (Crocuta crocuta) is featured, its curious expression contrasting with the portrait on the obverse of the coin. The word ‘Natura’ and denomination of R100 together with the metal value of ‘1oz Au 999.9’ also appear on the reverse. R50 (1/2oz): A pack of hyena out on a hunt is depicted on the coin. The spotted hyena hunts in small parties seeking out weaker members within a heard of antelope. Once the prey has been selected, they separate it from the heard and chase it down over long distances. Hyenas can run at speeds of up to 60 km/h. Also shown is the denomination of R50, the word ‘Natura’, the metal value of ‘1/2oz Au 999.9’. R20 (1/4oz): A pair of feeding hyenas features on the reverse. The spotted hyena is the most common large carnivore in Africa. Its success attributed in part to its adaptability and opportunism. Although primarily a hunter it may also scavenge. The word ‘Natura’ and denomination of R20 together with the metal value of the coin, ‘1/4oz Au 999.9’ formalizes the coin. R10 (1/10oz): A female hyena and her cub are portrayed, together with the word ‘Natura’, the denomination of R10 and the metal value of 1/10oz Au 999.9. The female Hyena is larger than the male and dominates the pack.

Nocturnal Hunters - The black-backed jackal (Canis mesomelas). The fossil records of the black-backed jackal (Canis mesomelas) found in South Africa, Kenya and Tanzania date back two million years. Today, this ancient form of canid has adapted to a wide range of habitats, from city suburbs to the desert. Its versatility has earned it a reputation of cunningness and superior intelligence.

Also referred to as the silver-back or red jackal, the black-backed jackal has a reddish-brown coat and a black-tipped bushy tail; the fur on its back is a striking blend of silver and black while the underparts are white. The dog-like head, pointed muzzle and upstanding pointed ears are a deep russet red.

The portrait of a black-backed jackal features on the obverse of the 1oz coin in the ‘Nocturnal Hunters’ theme of 2015, together with the year ‘2015’ and the words ‘South Africa’.

On the reverse of each coin, different aspects of the black-backed jackal’s behaviour are shown. The R100 (1oz) coin depicts the jackal lying lazily on its front paws. On the R50 (1/2oz) coin, a jackal pair which has mated for life is featured. The R20 (1/4oz) coin shows a black-backed jackal hunting for rodents while the R10 (1/10oz) coin portrays a mother jackal with her pup.

Due to its striking appearance and wide distribution, the black-backed jackal is one of Africa’s most common and best-known predators. These versatile hunters are mainly active during the night, often spotted at dawn or at dusk, and their haunting call is a typical sound in the African bush at night.

The moon represents the ‘Nocturnal Hunters’ theme of 2015 and unifies the four coins in the Natura series.

Nature's Families - The Zebra, The Zebra (Equidae) concludes the “Nature’s Families” theme. The obverse of all the coins in all three themes features seven animals which visually links the families. The Natura gold coin series depicts the Zebra in various scenes. Today there are three live zebra species with several subspecies: Grévy’s zebra (Equus grevyi), the largest specimen; plains zebra (Equus quagga), the most common zebra; and the mountain zebra (Equus zebra), the smallest. Zebras are members of the horse family but, unlike donkeys and horses, they have not been truly domesticated. Both the Grévy’s zebra and the mountain zebra are listed as endangered on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species due to shrinking grazing lands and environmental hazards.

Giants of Africa - The ElephantThe Natura gold coin series depicts the elephant in various scenes:Elephant on top frieze of elephant herd (1 oz) Family of elephants on top frieze of elephant herd (1/2 oz) Elephants fighting on top frieze of elephant herd (1/4 oz) Elephant eating (1/10 oz).

Big 5 - LionThe Natura gold coin series kicked off in 1994 and depicts the lion in various scenes.Family of lions (1 oz), Hunting scene where two lionesses attack a Kudu bull (1/2 oz), Hamily of lions at a kill (1/4 oz) and Lion and lioness drinking water (1/10 oz).

Big Five - The Elephant, Prestige Mintage: 500 The Natura Prestige Set consists of four 24 carat gold coins (1 oz, 1/2 oz, 1/4 oz and 1/10 oz) packaged together in a box made from either “Kiaat”or “Imbuya” wood. In addition each set has a plaque featuring the name “Natura Prestige Set” as well as the year “2008” and the individual number of the set.

Giants of Africa - The Giraffe, Prestige Mintage: 700 The Natura Prestige Set consists of four 24 carat gold coins (1 oz, 1/2 oz, 1/4 oz and 1/10 oz) packaged together in a box made from either “Kiaat”or “Imbuya” wood. In addition each set has a plaque featuring the name “Natura Prestige Set” as well as the year “2008” and the individual number of the set.

Prestige Mintage: 700 The Natura Prestige Set consists of four 24 carat gold coins (1 oz, 1/2 oz, 1/4 oz and 1/10 oz) packaged together in a box made from either “Kiaat”or “Imbuya” wood. In addition each set has a plaque featuring the name “Natura Prestige Set” as well as the year “2007” and the individual number of the set.

Prestige Mintage: 800 The Natura Prestige Set consists of four 24 carat gold coins (1 oz, 1/2 oz, 1/4 oz and 1/10 oz) packaged together in a box made from either “Kiaat”or “Imbuya” wood. In addition each set has a plaque featuring the name “Natura Prestige Set” as well as the year “2008” and the individual number of the set.

Limited Edition: 1000 The Natura Prestige Set consists of four 24 carat gold coins (1 oz, 1/2 oz, 1/4 oz and 1/10 oz) packaged together in a box made from either “Kiaat”or “Imbuya” wood. In addition each set has a plaque featuring the name “Natura Prestige Set” as well as the year “2009” and the individual number of the set.

Limited Edition: 1000 The Natura Prestige Set consists of four 24 carat gold coins (1 oz, 1/2 oz, 1/4 oz and 1/10 oz) packaged together in a box made from either “Kiaat”or “Imbuya” wood. In addition each set has a plaque featuring the name “Natura Prestige Set” as well as the year “2009” and the individual number of the set.